《古兰经》在向人性呈现存在的真理方面有着卓越的方法。它面向人性的整体发出呼唤，同时又在每一个语境中照顾到人性的每一个方面。它触及人性的每一扇门扉，顾及人的一切思想与情感。《古兰经》的方法之卓越还在于：它探讨存在的根本问题，揭示存在的某些层面，而这些层面为人性与人的理智所普遍认可。人性与理智对此作出回应，并形成关于这些问题的清晰见解。它也满足人性的需要，激发人性的潜能，并引导它走上正道。
The fact is that the Qur’ān has a remarkable method in presenting the truth of existence to human nature. It appeals to it as a whole, yet it addresses every one of its aspects in every single context. It goes through every opening in human nature, deals with all its thoughts and feelings. The Qur’ānic method is also remarkable as it tackles the main issues of existence, revealing certain aspects of it which are readily acknowledged both by human nature and the human intellect. They respond to these and formulate their clear vision on them. It also answers the needs of human nature, releases its potentials and puts it on the right course.
我们不得不惊叹古兰经独特的方法：它牵着人性的手，循序渐进，温和地带领它向上，同时充满力量，洞察清晰。它将人性引向崇高的境界，赋予它真正的知识、明确的回应、坚定的安心、言行的一致，以及对存在之根本真理清醒而从容的认知。
We cannot but marvel at the unique Qur’ānic approach as it takes human nature by the hand and moves up with it gently, step by step, yet with much energy and clarity of vision. It takes it to a sublime height, giving it true knowledge, definite response, firm reassurance, consistency of action and a clear and relaxed awareness of the fundamental truths of existence.
《古兰经》的方法是无与伦比的,因为它从人们无法想象会有回应的角度触动人性。然而我们发现,人性已准备好给出积极的回应。事实是,降示《古兰经》的那一位,正是造物主,是了解祂的被造物的真主。祂与人的距离,比他的颈动脉还近。
The Qur’ānic approach is unparalleled as it appeals to human nature from angles where no response could have been imagined to come. Yet we find human nature ready with its positive response. The fact is the One who has revealed the Qur’ān is the Creator of man who knows His creation. He is closer to man than his jugular vein.
所以到目前为止的做法如此，但《古兰经》所探讨的主题呢？
So far for the approach, but what about the subject matter the Qur’ān tackles?
在这里，我们所面对的是一片无法用言语充分描述的广阔景象：
Here we find ourselves looking at an expanse that no words can adequately describe:
“你说：‘如果大海是我主的言语的墨水，那么在我主的言语写尽之前，大海必定干涸；即使我们再增添一个同样的大海来补充，也是如此。’”（18：109）
“Say: ‘If the sea were ink for my Lord’s words, the sea would surely dry up before my Lord’s words are exhausted, even though we were to add to it another sea to replenish it.’” (18: 109)
“如果地上所有的树都是笔，海水是墨，再加上七个海洋，真主的话语仍然写不尽。真主是至尊的，是至睿的。”（31：27）
“If all the trees on earth were pens, and the sea were ink, with seven more seas yet added to it, the words of God would not be exhausted. God is almighty, wise.” (31: 27)
本书作者蒙真主的恩典,与这部经典相伴了二十五年,仔细研习它所论及的根本事实,以及它处理人类知识各个方面的方式。与此同时,他也在阅读人们在其中一些方面所作的探索。他看到,与人类的种种尝试相比,《古兰经》蕴含着何等丰厚的宝藏与广阔的包容。与《古兰经》这片浩瀚的大海相比,那些尝试不过是零星的小湖、细小的水洼,甚至是死水的坑塘。
The present author spent, by God’s grace, twenty-five years with this Book as his companion, studying carefully the fundamental facts it addresses and the way it tackles various aspects of human knowledge. He has been reading at the same time what human beings have attempted to reveal in some of these aspects. He could see the great wealth and openness of the Qur’ān compared to the attempts of human beings. Compared to the great ocean of the Qur’ān, these attempts are no more than small, isolated lakes, tiny pools or even stagnant pits.
试想一下，《古兰经》对存在、其本质、真理、各个层面、起源、奥秘与隐藏之事，以及它所包含的有生命之物与潜在生命，所采取的整全视角。人类哲学也触及了其中的一些方面。
Take, if you will, the Qur’ān’s holistic approach to existence, its nature, truth, aspects, origin, secrets and hidden things, as well as what it contains of living entities and potential life. Human philosophy tackles some of these aspects.
反思一下《古兰经》如何将人视为一个完整的整体，并阐明人的起源、潜能、行动领域、塑造方式、反应与回应，以及人的不同状态和内在自我。生物学、心理学、社会学、教育学和宗教学都涉及其中的某些方面。也请思考《古兰经》对人类生活体系的独特看法，包括其实践活动、合作领域、人类不断更新的需求，以及这些都应如何组织。社会、经济和政治理论与学说也可能涉及其中的一些内容。
Reflect also on how the Qur’ān takes man as a complete entity, and explains his origin, potentials, fields of action, moulding, reactions and responses, as well as his different modes and inner self. Biology, psychology, sociology, education and religious studies address certain aspects of these. Consider also the unique Qur’ānic approach to the system of human life, its practical activities, areas of collaboration, renewed human needs and how these should be organized. Social, economic and political theories and doctrines may address some of these.
在所有这些领域中,一位认真研读《古兰经》的学子必定会发现其中丰富惊人的论述与训示,它们全面、深刻、充实而真实。在这些根本性问题上,我从未需要《古兰经》之外的任何论述,唯独真主之使者的圣训除外。这些圣训可被统称为《古兰经》的解释性备忘录。确实,与这部卓越经典中所蕴含的内容相比,其他任何言论,即便正确,也显得价值不大。这是因为这些论述具有实践性的特点,也是长期思考和研究这些主题如何被处理的结果。然而,我并非要赞美这部经典。我是谁,人类又是谁,岂能以赞美之词为真主的经典增添什么呢?
In all these areas a careful student of the Qur’ān is bound to find an amazing wealth of statements and directives that are comprehensive, profound, rich and truthful. Not once did I find myself in need of a single statement from outside the Qur’ān, concerning any of these fundamental issues, with the exception of God’s Messenger’s ĥadīths. These may be collectively described as an explanatory memorandum of the Qur’ān. Indeed, no other statement, correct though it may be, will appear of much value compared to what a careful student finds in this remarkable book. This is due to the practical nature of these statements. It is also the result of long reflection on, and study of, how these topics are tackled. Yet I am not attempting to praise this book. Who am I, and who are human beings to add anything to God’s book by their praise?
这部经典，即《古兰经》，是一代独特之人的知识来源、教育之本，并使其得到恰当的塑造；人类历史上再未出现过这样的一代。这一代便是先知ﷺ的众门徒，他们在人类历史上带来了极为深远的发展，而这一发展至今尚未得到充分的研究。这部经典，依真主的意志，成就了人类历史上这一伟大的奇迹。与此相比，那些印证先前天启信息的超自然奇迹都显得微不足道，因为这一奇迹是在人类社会中实际呈现出来的。的确，那一代人是一个无与伦比的历史现象。
This book, the Qur’ān, was the source of knowledge, education and proper moulding of a unique generation of human beings that was never repeated in human history. That was the generation of the Prophet’s companions who brought about a greatly profound development in human history that has not yet been properly studied. This Book was responsible, by God’s will, for this great miracle in human history. All supernatural miracles that testified to earlier divine messages appear small in comparison to this miracle that was practised in a human society. Indeed, that generation was an unparalleled historic phenomenon.
这一代人首次建立的社会延续了一千多年。它由本书所载的律法治理，并牢固地建立在其准则、价值观和指导之上。那个社会本身就是人类的奇迹。我们只需将它与其他人类社会加以比较：这些社会虽因人类物质进步而在物质能力上超越了它，但在人类文明方面却远不能与之相比。
The society that was formed for the first time by their generation survived for more than one thousand years. It was governed by the law stated in this book and firmly based on its standards, values and directives. That very society was a human miracle. We have only to compare it to other human societies which, as a result of human material progress, surpassed it in material abilities, but could not come near to it in human civilization.
如今,在现代的蒙昧(jāhiliyyah)社会中,人们在脱离《古兰经》的情况下,寻求满足自身以及所在社群的需求。蒙昧时期的阿拉伯人当年也要求《古兰经》之外的神迹。他们天真的见解、深重的无知以及各自的利益,使古代阿拉伯人无法体会这部卓越之书所代表的伟大神迹。当代蒙昧之人在体会《古兰经》的神迹方面,则面临另外的障碍。这些障碍包括:源于其优越物质知识的傲慢,以及他们对人类生活的精密组织、其表面上的进步与成熟——这些都是随着一代又一代人的经验积累、以及日益复杂精细的需求而自然产生的。此外,他们还受到顽固的犹太复国主义与帝国主义反对势力的阻碍,这股势力十四个世纪以来,持续地对这一信仰及其启示的讯息进行谋划与阴谋。他们不断设法使穆斯林远离《古兰经》及其训示。原因在于,犹太复国主义者和帝国主义者通过长期的经验得知,只要穆斯林像第一代穆斯林那样遵守《古兰经》,他们自己就无法与穆斯林抗衡。仅仅让穆斯林口头上继续尊奉《古兰经》,而在生活中的所作所为却与之相悖,是远远不够的。
Nowadays, in modern jāhiliyyah societies, people seek to satisfy their own needs as well as the needs of their communities in isolation of the Qur’ān. People in ignorant Arabia used to require miracles other than the Qur’ān. Their naive outlook, profound ignorance and their various interests prevented the old Arabs from appreciating the great miracle represented by this remarkable book. The people of contemporary jāhiliyyah have different obstacles preventing them from appreciating the miracle of the Qur’ān. These include the arrogance derived from their superior material knowledge, their sophisticated organization of human life, its apparent progress and maturity, which all come naturally with the accumulation of experience of one generation after another and with more complex and sophisticated needs. But they are also prevented from appreciating the Qur’ān by the die-hard Zionist and imperialist opposition that has continued to scheme and plot against this faith and its revealed message for fourteen centuries. They continue with their unceasing attempts to divert Muslims away from the Qur’ān and its directives. This is because the Zionists and the imperialists have learnt through long experience that they cannot be a match for the Muslims as long as they adhere to the Qur’ān in the same way as the first generation of Muslims did. It is not sufficient that Muslims continue to pay lip service to the Qur’ān while they conduct their lives in a fashion that is in conflict with it.
这样的阴谋至今仍在继续，而且态度更加坚决、居心更加险恶。这些阴谋的最终结果，就是今天那些自称穆斯林之人所生活的社会。若不执行伊斯兰律法，他们便不可能真正成为穆斯林。我们在世界各地看到，各种企图都在清除伊斯兰的一切痕迹，用别的某种宪法取代《古兰经》，并赋予它在一切争端和生活各个问题上的最终裁决权，这些都是阴谋的后果。真正的穆斯林在一切此类事务上，只以真主的经典为准。
Such scheming continues today with more resolve and wickedness. The final outcome of this scheming is the sort of societies in which people who claim to be Muslims live today, when they cannot be truly Muslims unless they implement Islamic law. We see the outcome of this scheming in various attempts all over the world to remove every trace of Islam, putting in place of the Qur’ān some other sort of constitution, giving it the status of ultimate arbiter in all disputes and on all issues of life. True Muslims refer only to God’s book in all such matters.
古兰经如今被其信众忽视，人们只把它当作吟唱的赞歌和佩戴的护符。几个世纪以来，他们被引离了它，深深陷入一种愚昧无知（jāhiliyyah）的状态，这种状态败坏着人的心智与心灵。古代的蒙昧（jāhiliyyah）之人曾以索要实际的神迹为由，将民众引离古兰经。现代的蒙昧之人则试图将民众引离古兰经，他们用一部虚假的圣经取而代之，并借助一切大众传媒和信息渠道加以推广。然而，古兰经正是全知的真主以这样的话语所描述的经典：“这是来自你的主的明证，是对信仰的民众的指引和恩慰。”（第203节）因此，它是清晰的明证，为真正的信士提供真正的指引，并赐予丰厚的恩典与福泽。唯有真正信仰的人，才能在古兰经中找到这一切。
The Qur’ān is ignored today by its people who know it only as hymns to be chanted and charms to be worn. They have been diverted away from it for centuries and driven deep into a state of jāhiliyyah that corrupts minds and hearts. The people of old jāhiliyyah used to divert the masses away from the Qur’ān, demanding physical miracles. The people of modern jāhiliyyah try to divert the masses away from the Qur’ān by putting in its place a false bible which they promote through all mass media and information channels. Yet it is the Qur’ān that is described in these words by God who knows all: “This [revelation] is a means of clear insight from your Lord, and a guidance and grace for people who will believe.” (Verse 203) It is then a means of clear insight, providing true guidance and abounding grace and blessings for true believers. It is only those who truly believe that find all this in the Qur’ān.